Bioko Island Drill Excursion

Starting November 2025

Dates Announced

Reserve

A week in Bioko’s Wild South

with Justin Jay

Ethical wildlife photography, jungle/coastline backpacking, primate listing and birding within a biodiversity hotspot

Use professional fieldcraft techniques in search of endangered drill monkeys, red colobus, turacos, picathartes, and more, deep within the Southern Caldera de Luba Scientific Reserve.

Small groups only—maximum of 4 people per trip.
Remote rainforest trekking, volcanic coastlines, and leatherback sea turtle nesting beaches.
Local guides, field-tested logistics, and “leave no trace” primitive camping under the stars.
In association with our incoming partner Basile Travel SL, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

Meet the Drill

(Mandrillus leucophaeus poensis)

With estimates as low as 3,000 individuals left in the wild, the drill is one of the world’s largest and least-known primate species. For three million years, they have shaped the forests of this part of West/Central Africa, where their range extends from Cameroon to Nigeria. Today, the Bioko Island subspecies continues to struggle against bushmeat hunting and deforestation, even as we work to protect them within the Gran Caldera de Luba Scientific Reserve.

Be one of the few people in the world to see a drill in the wild, and try your hand at photographing this remarkable species in its natural habitat, without disturbing it. Your images can help inspire global awareness and demonstrate to local communities the value of preserving this extraordinary animal.

From November 2025 to March 2026, we’re leading one excursion per month into the Gran Caldera de Luba Scientific Reserve.

Each trip begins where the road ends, backpacking along Bioko’s remote southern coastline until we reach our base camp. For the next week, we move on foot through a rainforest and coastline ecosystem home to 11 species of primates, 4 species of nesting sea turtles, and over 200 species of birds.

Nights are spent camping in the forest or on the beach and cooking over a fire. Our target species are endangered primates that are going extinct. Few photos of them in the wild exist.

This is not glamping. These expeditions are for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts with backcountry experience who want to raise awareness for biodiversity and endangered species.

We use the same fieldcraft methods I’ve developed for international broadcasters, tracking and filming wildlife without disturbing their natural behavior.

Trip Details

- November 5-15 ( 4 slots)
- December 5–15 ( 4 slots)
- January 5–15 ( FULL)
- February 7–17 ( 4 slots)
- March 5–15 ( 4 slots)
Request Availability
+34-693-633-162 Whatsapp
Our flagship excursion is one week in the Gran Caldera de Luba Scientific Reserve.
Trips are limited to a maximum of four people for a low-impact and high visibility experience.
Final pricing varies depending on group size, trip length, and any custom requests. Two extra days are included for welcome and farewell.
Non-refundable deposit of 1,000 € is needed to secure your spot. The rest of the payment must be done 21 days before the date.
Private departures and fully bespoke itineraries are available — contact us for a personalized quote.
Maximum 4 participants
- Visa Support
- In-Country Transportation: We offer a transport service from Malabo Airport to the hotel and from there to the Southern Reserve. It’s on foot from there. We will employ an experienced local driver and porters who know the roads and trails of the park well.
- Accommodation: Tent camping while in the reserve staying in one of two base camps along the uninhabited southern tropical coast. Hotel when in Malabo.
- Food: Wholesome meals cooked over a campfire daily by talented local Bubi chefs using fresh, local produce and traditional recipes, combined with dining out in some of the country's best restaurants.
- Wildlife Photography Excursion: Guided hikes and long sessions in photography blinds to get a shot of the elusive drill monkey.
- Support: A trip facilitator will accompany you or your group during the entire trip, offering participants translation and their combined knowledge of the country, while making sure everything runs smoothly. Porters and technical staff are also included. In addition, once in the reserve you will be joined by Justin Jay. We are available to answer questions and assist with trip preparations beforehand.
- Airfare
- Personal Travel Insurance: We require all participants to have personal travel insurance. This will cover things like illness, flight cancellations, theft, etc.
- Extra Expenses and Alcohol: We will have a little bit of free time in Malabo at the begining and end of the trip. Some might choose this time to relax; however, if you’d like to arrange any extra activities not already scheduled into the itinerary, we are happy to help you coordinate things. All activities during this time are at the expense of participants.
- Yellow Fever: A valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into Equatorial Guinea. Ensure you have the Yellow Fever booklet with the vaccination stamp, as you will need to present it at immigration upon arrival.
- Typhoid: Recommended for travelers visiting smaller cities or rural areas.
- Hepatitis A: Recommended for all travelers.
- Hepatitis B: Recommended for those engaging in activities with potential contact with blood or bodily fluids.
- Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis: Ensure you are up-to-date on these routine vaccinations.
- Malaria Prophylaxis: While not a vaccine, antimalarial medication is recommended due to the presence of malaria in many parts of Equatorial Guinea.
We will help arrange visa’s. Average time is 2 to 3 weeks. No need to mail off passports.
Travelers must agree to Drill Film’s Booking Terms and Conditions in order to join this experience.

10 Day Itinerary

Bioko Island has breathtaking spots for sightseeing and photography. Not all of them are included in the standard itinerary, but we offer assistance to those interested in an extended trip. Moreover, depending on personal interests in other species, the locations and dates of the itinerary can be adjusted to create the best experience.
Arrival to Malabo International Airport, Bioko Island and transport to the hotel. Enjoy Spanish-African blend of cuisine in the city and overnight in a comfortable hotel. Depending on the time of arrival, an excursion to see the bat migration to Cameroon is possible.
Scenic drive to the village of Ureka, rainforest and beach backpacking and river crossing to reach Moaba base camp.
Recce the forest and scout locations in search of wild drill monkeys and other species of interest. Guided wildlife photography trails and hide sitting. Includes nightly patrols for green and leatherback sea turtles.
Hike along the southern volcanic coast of Bioko in a day long journey to arrive at Camp Moraka. Hikes and hide sitting in the mouth of the Caldera de Luba in search of the Penant’s Red Colobus, black colobus and others.
Hike out of the field and enjoy a hot shower and a night out in Malabo before flying out.

DRILL FILMS LLC

Reservations

Ready to join the field team?
Fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch soon with trip details, availability, and a personalized quote. We look forward to hearing from you.